Queen Ella presides over fabulous Forton Field Day

Cooler temperatures and an overcast sky failed to cast a cloud over the fun-filled 63rd Forton Field Day as new qeen Ellen Oliver was crowned by her predecessor Lucy Physick.

The traditional parade was led by Darwen Brass Band and those taking part included Cubs, Beavers, Brownies, Scouts and Forton Churches Together.

Forton Field Day

Stepping Stones Pre-school entered an eye-catching Thomas The Tank Engine float and yellow balloons were handed out by the Churches Together team.

Roger Jameson was MC and prizes were presented for pre-school and school art competitions, including a timely craft contest to make a World Cup themed hat.

The field day had more than 23 different family friendly pocket-money priced games and competitions to entertain and amuse visitors,with the greasy pole, slide and coconut shy proving ever popular.

Refreshments were available in the bowling green pavilion and events concluded with the children’s races and traditional men v ladies tug of war, won this year by the male team. The fun continued late into the evening with the family barbecue and disco at the village hall.

Field day publicity officer Andrea Bookless said:“The queen’s retinue was pretty as a picture dressed in pale mint green dresses. Mrs Jill Cross has to be thanked for all the time and effort she devotes to dressing Forton’s queen and retinue. A big thank you goes to the judges, Mr and Mrs Mcdonald and Mr and Mrs Boase who did a sterling job judging the various competitions.”